OCEANSIDE COUPLE TO STAND TRIAL IN SLAVE CASE

Vista 
An Oceanside couple accused of enslaving their 12-year-old niece and forcing her to cook, clean and have sex with men — including her uncle — will stand trial, Vista Superior Court Judge Richard Mills ruled Monday.

The alleged victim, now 24, testified last week about being smuggled into the United States and living for nearly two years with her aunt and uncle. The witness, identified only by her first name of Isabel, said she was physically beaten if she did not obey orders to clean the home, take care of the couple’s three children, have sex with the men and perform other functions.

Inez Martinez Garcia, 43, and Marcial Garcia Hernandez, 45, have pleaded not guilty. Each is charged with 26 felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. If found guilty, each could face 390 years in prison. The couple, who are from Mexico, are in the country legally but could face deportation if convicted because the United States revokes residency rights for some green-card holders convicted of certain crimes.

Defense attorneys Alan Spears and Bill O’Connell are representing Hernandez and Garcia, respectively. Spears said he has submitted a proposed plea agreement to the county District Attorney’s Office, and that it is under review.

“The allegations we heard from the victim, I believe, are exaggerated,” Spears said.

Isabel was returned to Mexico after police were called to investigate a severe beating by her aunt. She did not tell law enforcement about the alleged sexual slavery. When Isabel returned to the U.S. legally seven years later, she reported the abuse to a social worker. Her aunt and uncle were arrested in December.

At that time, law-enforcement officials said Isabel came forward because she began to experience flashbacks and was encouraged by friends to tell a professional.